Alternate action snap action switch and lighted push button assembly



Oct. 20, 1964 G. J. BURY 3,153,714 ALTERNATE ACTION SNAP ACTION SWITCH AND LIGHTED PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 2s, 1962 3 Sheets-Shea?l 1 www 14 BY 36% 6 E] HFBG W @A1 L@ ATT 'v Oct. 20, 1964 G. J. BURY 3,153,714

ALTERNATE ACTION SNAP ACTION SWITCH AND LIGHTED PUSH BUTTON ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

YW@ y@ ATT'v.

GeorgedEI/fy Oct. 20, 1964 G. J. BURY 3,153,714

ALTERNATE 10N SNAP 10N SwITcH AND LIGHT PUSH BUTT ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 28, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 34 INVENTOR George :X51/7? @AAA @A United States Patent O 3,153,714 ALTERNATE ACTIUN SNAP ACTION SWITCH AND LIGHTED PUSH BU'ITN ASSEMBLY George I. Bury, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 219,940 1S Claims. (Cl. 200-167) This invention relates to a lighted push button assembly and more particularly relates to a lighted push button switch assembly providing alternate action to snap acting types of switches and to the alternate action mechanism per se.

In the electronic control field, therel has long existed a problem of obtaining a compact, highly reliable, precision, lighted push button switch unit having an alternate action mechanism associated therewith. Precision switches per se have been developed to a high degree of reliability and compactness. However, lighted switch button units, because of the complex extra functions desired, plus the feature of alternate action, have not heretofore reached a high degree of precision, reliability and compactness at a low cost.

It is a general object of this invention to provide lan alternate action, precision lighed switch button unit which utilizes standard switching units without de-rating the reliability thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lighted switch button unit having alternate action which is simple in construction and provides easy access for removal and replacement of the lamp in the assembly, which is exceedingly compact in size, is positive in action, is economical to produce and is easy to manufacture, is easy to assemble, and is otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which it is designed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved circuit controlling device which is of rugged construction and which utilizes the switch springs which are internally disposed in the switch casing to provide the biasing action for the alternate action mechanism as well as for the lighted push button portion of the assembly per se.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a lighted push button associated with two standard switches and a bracket means wherein the lamp holder means is xed to a stationary member disposed between a pair of switches, the stationary member also serving the various functions of providing an insulating support for the terminals of the lighted switch, an internal cam surface for the alternate action mechanism, and a pivotal support for a yoke mechanism having a star wheel means for coaction with the internal cam surface.

The novel features that are characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. An understanding of the invention, both as to its organization and its mode of opre'ation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood` by reading the following description in conjunction with accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view, with portions thereof cut away, showing the alternate action snap action lighted push button assembly attached to a panel;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the assembly showing the working parts thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the yoke mechanism shown in detached relation;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the yoke member shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view along lines 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a stationary member utilized in the assembly shown in detached relation, said stationary member mounting the yoke member of FIG.

3,153,714 Patented oct. 20, 1964 ICC 3 and Ialso serving to support the terminals of the lamp holder mechanism and providing the internal cam mechamsm;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the stationary member shown in FIG. 6 with the lamp holder mechanism shown in assembled relationship thereto;

FIG. 7A is an enlarged fragmentary view of the cam portion of the stationary member shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7B is a fragmentary View greatly enlarged showing the configuration of the upper portion of grooves for supporting and confining the terminal members of the lamp holder means;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of a cover member for association with the stationary member shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational View of the member shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a right hand end elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. l1 is ta view, somewhat semidiagrammatic in form, showing the relative position of the parts in the alternate action mechanism;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are sequential views similar to the view in FIG. ll showing the progressive movements of the star wheel mechanism and its cooperation with the cam surface during the repeated movements of the yoke members;

FIG. 14 is an isometric perspective view of the star wheel mechanism shown in detached relationship;

FIG. 15 is a partial view of the lighted push button and its cooperation with the cam mechanism at the top of the yoke member; and

FIG. 16 is a top view of the lighted push button member without the cap attached thereto.

The alternate action snap action lighted push button mechanism 10 shown in FIG. l essentially comprises a U-shaped housing member 12 having a pair of long depending arms 14 and 16 connected by a top web 18. The web 18 is formed with a conical hollow flange member 2t) which is threaded on the outside thereof for association with a suitable aperture in a panel 22. Suitable nuts 24 and 26 together with a lockwasher of suitable type 28 mount the entire assembly 10 to the panel 22.

The free ends of the U-shaped housing 12 are formed with suitably aligned apertures to mount through bolts or pins 3i) which in turn support a pair of precision switches 32 and 34 of known design. It will be noted that the arms 14 and 16 of the housing 12 are spaced apart a slightly greater distance than the thickness of the two switches for purposes hereinafter appearing. It will be further noted that the length of the arms 14 and 16 is such that when the switches 32 and 34 are mounted therebetween adjacent the free ends thereof, there remains a substantial space for incorporation of the compoents that shall be later described.

The switches per se, as best shown in FIG. 2, are substantially identical and have terminal means 36 and 38 extending through the respective casings at opposite ends thereof, there being a movable contact assembly 40 in each switch which is adapted to engage the fixed contact means 48 upon actuation of the push buttons 42 against the bias of springs 46, the extensions 44 of the push buttons engaging the return springs 46 for return of the button after release of pressure thereon. Snap action movement for switching is imparted by the movable contact assembly which basically comprises U-shaped members pivotally mounted on extension 44, there being acoil spring therebetween. No claim is made relative to the construction of the switch per se. On the other hand, it is important to note that for the instant invention, the spring 46 disposed within the casing which biases the button 42 outwardly, also serves to bias the remaining parts of the assembly such as the alternate action mechanism and the lighted push button per se to their fully extended positions.

Mounted between and extending above the two switches 32 and 34 in the chamber defined by the tops of the switches and the web 18 of the housing 12, is a combination alternate action and lamp holder mechanism 50 as well as an exterior lighted push button actuator member per se. This combination mechanism 50 essentially cornprises a stationary member 52 and cooperable cover 54 which provides the pivotal support for a yoke member 58, support for the lamp holder means 56, and the internal cam for cooperation with star wheel 60 which provides the alternate action as shall become apparent. The cover member 54 is adapted to be associated with member 52 to provide a thin sandwich for supporting and encapsulating the terminal wires 90-92 of the lamp holder means 56 in the vicinity of the two switch blocks 32 and 34.

The stationary member 52 essentially comprises a body portion 62 having spaced apertures 64 and 66 for receipt of the mounting bolts or pins 30 which extends through the switch blocks and through the arms of the U-shaped housing 12. Spaced substantially vertically above apertures 64 and 66 are a pair of short circular lugs 68 and 70. Shallow groove means '72 and 74 traverse the area between the apertures 64-66 and the lugs 68 and 70, the upper ends thereof having some angular shoulders as shall be described.

The body 62 is preferably made of molded plastic and the lower half of the body is thinner than the upper half whereby when cover member 54 (also preferably made of plastic) having apertures 64a-66a-68a-7tla for alignment with apertures 64-66 and lugs 68-70 of body 62 are assembled together, they form a sandwich assembly such that the thickness of the assembly is substantially the same throughout its vertical height. Member 54 is formed with grooves 72a and 74a which with grooves 72-74 make a hollow chamber for receipt of the terminal wires 98-92 of the lamp holder assembly as shall become apparent. Thus, when the sandwich comprising members 52 and 54 are assembled together, the terminals 90-92 will be completely encased in insulating plastic over the lower three-quarters of member 52 and up to and including the height of the switch blocks 32 and 34. The grooves 72 and 74 (as shown in FIG. 7B) have a plurality of shoulders therein at the upper end thereof. More particularly, groove 72 has a necked down portion 76 and a still smaller necked down portion 78 dening sharp shoulders 80 and 82 which tend to position and hold the rather flat thin terminal members 90 and 92 in fixed relation thereto. As the depth of the grooves are thicker in this vicinity of member 52 than in the lower portion, insulating value to the two members 90 and 92 is maintained even though there is no outside covering. Groove 74 has a necked down portion 84 to define a pair of opposite shoulders 86 and 88 which similarly confine terminal member 92. When the cover 54 is assembled to member 52, the lugs 68 and 70 fit in holes, 68a and 78a and the thin ilat terminal members 9) and 92 which are complementary in shape to the grooves are fixedly and firmly held in place.

As seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10, a transverse cylindrical portion 94 extends a considerable distance outboard of the rather thin body portion 62 of member 52. The cylindrical portion is formed with a through bore 96 which pivotally mounts the yoke member 58 as shall become apparent. On the opposite side on the upper half of member 62 is a raised portion 98 which provides stocks surrounding an internal cam means 108 which is formed in the plastic body 62. The cam means 160 is shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 7A (Sheet l of the drawings) and has a plurality of surfaces therein. More particularly, the internal cam means 108 has a top curvilinear pocket 102 with a downwardly outwardly diverging wall surface 104 adjacent thereto which terminates at point 186. A medium sized, outwardly and slightly upwardly diverging, surface 108 starts at corner 106 and terminates at corner 110 which forms the juncture between relatively vertically disposed wall surface 112 and surface 108. A rounded corner portion 114 defines one boundary to surface 112 and to a short offset surface 116 which terminates at the juncture with relatively long straight wall portion 118. Wall portion 118 terminates at its lower end at corner 120 which defines a relatively sharp corner with horizontal surface 122 which is disposed at substantially right angles to portion 118. Straight surface 122 terminates at corner 124 which forms the common juncture therewith and with an upwardly and outwardly extending abutment surface 126 which is relatively short and terminates at point 128. A curvilinear cam surface 131) recedes downwardly and outwardly from point 128 to the rounded corner 132 located between vertically rising wall 134 and curvilinear surface 130. Vertical surface 134 terminates at its upper end with a rounded corner surface 136 and also bounds one end of an essentially horizontally extending surface 138 which terminates at corner 140. Vertical surface 142 is essentially parallel to surfaces 118 and 112 and extends upwardly from corner to point 144 from whence a surface 146 diverges inwardly. Corner portion 148 is gently rounded and defines the diiferent angularity between surfaces 146 and 158, the latter surface terminating in upper pocket 102. The coaction of these various surfaces with the star wheel 60 will be explained in more detail in the operation of. the device.

The star wheel 60 which coacts with the internal cam 100 has three symmetrically disposed points a, b and c which are connected by curvilinear surfaces 152, 154 and 156. The star wheel means 60 has a body portion which may be formed of plastic or of metal whichever is the more suitable and desired. The body 160 is formed with a through bore 162 and while star wheel is shown with considerable length, it will be appreciated that this total length is not necessary as the only active surfaces are those which will be associated with the cam 100.

The star wheel 60 is rotatably mounted within cam 100 on a pin 164 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) which is in turn mounted to spaced arm portions 166-168 of the yoke member 58. The arms 166-168 are formed with through apertures 170-172 as shown to mount the star wheel means `60. The yoke member 58 essentially comprises a metal stamping (it may also be molded plastic) which is in a sense U-shaped having arms 174 and 176 connected by a cross web 178. Spaced apertures together with the through pin 204 mount the yoke member on cylindrical portion 94 of stationary member 52 by placing the pin 284 in bore 96. The web 17S may be notched at 182 so that pivotal movement of the yoke member does not engage the upstanding portion 98 of member 52. A pair of oiset turned in lugs 184-186 have vertically aligned bores 18S-190 to mount spring loaded pins 192 having hollow springs 194 to provide an overtravel protection device for actuation of the switches 32-34. It will be noted that the apertures 188 with the pins 192 therein are aligned to engage the buttons 42 and the switches 32 and 34. An alternate to this is shown in FIGS. 11 through 13 wherein the lugs 184a are not turned upwardly but instead are blanked out of the material so that they extend downwardly an equivalent to the bottom of pins 192. This latter construction is available when the nature of the switch buttons 42 on the switches and the switch assemblies per se are such that overtravel protection is not needed or desired.

Immediately above the lugs 184-186 and on the top surfaces of sides 174-176 of yoke member 58 are cam surfaces 196 and 198 which are engageable with the pellucid lighted push button actuator 216 for transmission of movement as shall become apparent. This coaction is probably best shown in FIGS. ll through 13 and in FIG. 15. Alignedtapertures 200 and 202 in member 58 may serve to mount a pin when the yoke member 58 is adapted for association with switches where no lighted push button is involved and yet alternate action is desired. Also the yoke in the star wheel assembly is adapted to be substituted for the alternate action mechanism shown in my co-pending application entitled Push Button Switch Assembly, tiled January 10, 1961, and having Serial No. 81,862 and assigned to the same assignee.

In the present assembly, the apertures 200-202 serve no function other than to lighten the Weight of the yoke member without any disability to the assembly. A cross pin 204, as above discussed pivotally mounts the yoke member 58 for pivotal movement thereabout on the stationary member 52. There is no pin as aforediscussed disposed through apertures 200 and 202 since the terminals 90 and 92 of the lamp holder means extend through this area of the yoke member to xedly mount the lamp holder socket 210. The top portions of the terminals 90 and 92 are bent inwardly at 205 and 208 and then sharply reversely bent for engagement with the metal socket 210 and for the center interior thereof, the portion 206g being separated from portion 208a by an insulator 212 in standard fashion. It will be noted that the reversely bent portions 206 and 208 together with the shoulders on the terminals help confine and prevent movement of the terminals 90 and 92 relative to stationary member 52 and its cover S4.

The alternate action mechanism is actuated by the push button 216 which surrounds a light bulb 214 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 disposed in the socket 210. At no time is the lamp holder socket 210 moved during the operation of the device. This is important from the standpoint of not causing the parts to have wear and tear thereupon and to present a higher reliability factor to the total device. The push button 216 is preferably made of plastic and is molded with a'n upstanding cylindrical portion 218 and a rectilinear base portion 220 which extends laterally on one side a greater amount than on the other side. The base portion 220 on the longer side thereof, is configured for cooperation with the inside of the side walls of the U-shaped housing member 12. The length on the longer side of the base portion 220 insures stability in the movement of the push button. The shorter side of the push button is cut off close to upstanding portion 218 so that it will not interfere with portion 98 of stationary member S2 during downward reciprocatory movements thereof within the upstanding ange 20. Cylindrical portion 218 of the push button is formed with a bore 224 and a counterbore 226, the latter being a sufcient size to accommodate the lamp holder 210 for relative movement thereto. Bore 224 is adapted to receive an internal cap such as 228 shown in FIG. 1 or an over cap 230 as shown in FIG. 2.

Operation Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 12 through 13, and assuming the parts are in the relative positions shown in FIG. 12, i.e., the switches are in unactuated or off position, the points of the star wheel means 60 are disposed as shown relative to the surfaces of cam means 100, and the yoke member 58 is at its highest vertical extent; then the sequence of operation is as follows:

Engagement of the push button 216 by a finger, a cam, or other suitable means causes the engagement of base portion of 220 with the cam surfaces 1196-198 of the yoke member causing the latter to pivot about 204 which in turn causes the downward movement of pin 164 mounting the star wheel 60. As the pin 164 descends within the cam 100, star wheel point b engages surface 138 causing a partial revolution of the star wheel as shown diagrammatically by the dotted lines in FIG. ll. In the finally depressed position the star wheel point has reached a position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. l2 from whence it moves up to the position shown in full line in FIG. 12.

For ease of following the sequential operation, the point a on the star wheel has been numbered aba2, a3, a4, a5 and a6, this being the sequence of positions upon two complete reciprocating movements of the yoke member. Upon the attainment of the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12, point a is in engagement with surface 122 and the star wheel has reached its fully depressed position. As the star wheel is returned upwardly under the bias of the spring 46 interiorly of the switches through the button 42, it attains the full line position shown in FIG. l2 such that points b and c engage surfaces 146 and 108 respectively.

It will be noted in FIG. 12, full line position, that the yoke member 58 is restrained from returning upwardly to its original position by virtue of the position of the points b and c of the star wheel to the cam surfaces 108, 146 such that the switches remain actuated. However, upon the next downward actuation, the star wheel moves to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 13 whereupon point a engages surf-ace causing the partial revolution of the star wheel such that point b on the upward rise under the influence of spring 46 will engage surface 150 of the cam, causing point b to go into pocket 102 such that one-third of the revolution of the star wheel has been attained. Thus, the full line position of the parts in FIG. 13 is now identical to the position shown in FIG. 1 except for the one-third rotation of the star wheel. As will be seen and appreciated, the mechanism has a characteristic known as alternate action in that every depression of the lighted switch button will cause the switches to first go on and the next depression thereof will cause them to go off.

While `a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is with full awareness that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An alternate action mechanism comprising in combination a pair of momentary switch means disposed in side by side relationshipl and each having a spring loaded actuator button extending from one side thereof, said buttons being disposed in side by side spaced relation, a stationary member mountingly disposed between said side by side switch means and having a portion that extends thereabove to bisect the area between said push buttons, said stationary member having a first subportzion providing pivot means and a second subportion having internal cam means, a yoke member pivotally mounted on said iirst subportion and having a pair of arm means respectively engageable with said spring loaded actuator buttons, star wheel means rotatably mounted between said arms of said yoke member adjacent the free end thereof and extending through said internal cam means of said second subportion of said stationary member, said star wheel means being cooperable with said internal cam whereby depression of said yoke member causes partial revolution of said star wheel means so that release of the actuating pressure on said yoke prevents return of said yoke member to its initial starting height .and subsequential actuation of said yoke member causes still further rotation of said star wheel means to allow said yoke member to return to its initial height under the bias of said spring loaded actuator buttons of said switch meas whereby an alternate action mechanism is provide 2. The mechanism set forth in claim l wherein said star wheel means is in the form of a symmetrical three pointed star having a somewhat equilateral triangular shape in cross section transverse to the rotatable axis thereof, said star wheel means upon depression thereof rotating upon engagement with said internal cam means approximately 60 on each actuation of said yoke member against the bias of said spring loaded push button.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said first subportion of said stationary member is disposed on one side of said spring loaded actuator buttons and said second subportion containing said internal cam means is disposed on the other side of said switch buttons, said yoke member extending between said first and second subportions and traversing the area of said spring loaded push buttons, and means engageable with said yoke member in the areas thereof immediately above said spring loaded push buttons for actuating said yoke member to cause rotation of said star wheel means.

4. A mechanism of the class described comprising a stationary member having pivot means at one end thereof and cam means at the other end thereof, lever means pivotally mounted at one end to said pivot means on said stationary member and carrying rotatable member means at the other end, said rotatable member means being cooperable with said cam means on said stationary member upon pivotal movement of said lever means, means biasing said lever means in a first direction, said cam means, said rotatable member means and said lever means providing alternate action means whereby movements of said lever means in a direction opposite to the direction of the bias of said lever means causes partial rotation of said rotatable member means to a position permitting return of said lever member under the influence of said biasing means to a position different from said `initial starting position, whereupon subsequential movement of said lever means in a direction opposite to the bias imposed by said biasing means affords further rotation of said rotatable member means to a position affording return of said lever member to its initial position under the iniiuence of said biasing means.

5. The mechanism set forth in claim 4 wherein said biasing means is in the form of spring means associated with a snap acting switch, said initial position of said lever means providing a lirst position of the movable Contact means of said-snap acting switch and said second position of said lever means providing a second position of said movable contact means of said snap acting switch whereby an alternate action mechanism is provided for the switch contacts.

6. The mechanism set forth in claim 5 wherein overtravel permitting means is interposed between said lever means and the movable contact means of said snap acting switch, said overtravel means being in the form of spring means which is stronger than the spring means associated with said movable contact means, the motion of said lever means being transmitted to said movable contact means through said overtravel means.

7. A switch assembly comprising switch means having exterior housing means, actuator means for said switch means having a portion extending through said housing means, biasing means for said switch actuator means, a relatively thin member associated with said housing means and having irst, second and third subportions, lamp holder means associated with said third subportion of said member and said housing means and iixedly mounted relative thereto, lever means pivotally mounted on said first subportion of said stationary member and having a rotatable member cooperable with said second subportion of said stationary member to alternately position said actuator means for said switch means in first and second positions, bracket means iiXedly associated with said housing means having a portion thereof in proximity to said lamp holder means, and hollow pellucid push button means mounted for relative movement on said bracket means with a portion disposed in engagement with said lever means, the hollow portion of said push button means being aligned with said lamp holder means whereby said push button means may be actuated against said biasing means without disturbing said lamp holder means.

8. A lighted alternate action push button snap acting switch comprising movable contact means movable contact means movable between an at-rest and a second position with a snap action, means biasing said movable contact means to its at-rest position, housing means for said movable contact means, a stationary member iixedly mounted to said housing means and having first, second and third subportions, alternate action means mounted on said first subportion and cooperable with said second subportion and operable to move and retain said movable contact means alternately in its at-rest and its second position, lamp holder means mounted between said stationary member and said housing means and upon said third subportion, and lighted pellucid push button means surroundingly mounted to said lamp holder means operable to actuate said alternate action means without disturbing said lamp holder means.

9. An alternate action push button snap switch assembly comprising first and second switch means disposed in side by side xed relation and each having an outer casing, first and second switch actuator means extending through the upper portions of said respective casings in side by side horizontally spaced relation, a thin stationary member disposed between the two switches having first, second and third subportions, said third subportion having a size complementary to the horizontal extent of said first and second switch casings, lever means pivotally mounted on said second subportion of said stationary member and having a rotatable member on the end thereof cooperable with said first subportion of said stationary member operable to alternately retain said first and second switch actuator means in first and second positions, lamp holder means having portions disposed intermediate and above said outer casings, said iirst and second switch actuators, and said stationary member with the terminals thereof extending below said outer casings, switch mounting means engaging each of said switch means and being adapted for mounting each of same to a work panel, and pellucid push button means mounted on said switch mounting means for relative movement thereto, said push button means being configured to engage said lever means without contact with said lamp holder means. Y

l0. The assembly set forth in claim 9 wherein said lever member is in the form of a yoke member having a pair of spaced arms each engageable respectively with said first and second switch actuator means, said pellucid push button means being engageable with said arms of said yoke member to cause actuation thereof.

11. The assembly set forth in claim 10 wherein said arms of said yoke member mounts a rotatable member therebetween for engagement with cam means disposed on said stationary member, said arms being formed with a cam surface for engagement with said pellucid push button means. s

l2. The assembly set forth in claim 11 wherein said switch mounting means is in the form of an inverted U-shaped member havingan apertured bail portion and a pair of generally. parallel leg portions, said leg portions being fixed to said outer casings and said bail portions being spaced from the cam portions of said yoke member.

13. The assembly set forth in claim 12 wherein the hollow pellucid cover means has a base portion and a neck portion, the base portion being confined between the legs of said U-shaped member between the bail portion for engagement with said cam portions of said yoke member, the neck portion extending through the apertured bail portion for actuating engagement.

14. The assembly set forth in claim 10 wherein said lamp holder means comprises iirst and second relatively tiat terminal means of substantial length iixed to said lamp base means, said assembly further including a relatively thin stationary member cover means formed with -a pair of parallel grooves complementary in size to said flat terminal means for encapsulating capture of said first and second terminal means to insulatingly mount together with said stationary member said lamp holder means between said first and second switch casings, said 9 stationary member and said cover means therefor, each being formed of insulating plastic material.

15. An alternate action push button switch assembly of the lighted variety comprising lrst and second switch means disposed in side by side fixed relation and each having an outer casing, first and second switch actuator means extending through the tops of said respective outer casings in side by side relation, biasing means interior of said outer casings for returning said switch actuator means to an extended position, alternate action means comprising a first relatively thin member having first, second and third subportions, a second relatively thin member having a size complementary to said third subportion and complementary to the size of said switch casings, said second member and said third subportion being adapted t0 be disposed intermediate said first and second outer casings with said first and second subportions thereof extending thereabove and between said first and second switch actuator means, said first and second stationary members being formed of insulating plastic, lamp holder means disposed intermediate said `first and second members and intermeditae said outer casings of said `first and second switch actuators, -said lamp holder means comprising a lamp 4base and a pair of elongated flat terminals extending between said rirst and second members and below said outer casings with the base being above said casings and above said first `and second subportions of said first stationary member, a yoke member having first and second spaced arm portions pivotally mounted at one end to said second subportion of said first stationary member and surroundingly mounted and disposed partially above said first and second subportions of said stationary member and to said pair of elongated flat terminals, tab means on said arm means of said yoke member angularly disposed relative to the major plane of said arm members carrying pin means on the ends thereof, spring mean-s biasing said pin means into engagement with said actuator buttons, said spring means having a greater biasing force than the biasing means interior of said outer casings, a rotatable member mounted on the free end of said arm members of said yoke member for cooperation with said fir-st subportion of said stationary member to alternately position said actuator means in depressed and extended positions upon pivotal movement off said yoke means, switch mounting means comprising inverted U- shaped bracket means having an apertured bail portion and a pair of apertured parallel leg portions, 'fastener means disposed in said apertures in said leg portions and engaging each of said outer casings and said first and second stationary members to mount each of same to said bracket means, `and hollow pellucid push button means having a `rst portion mounted in said aperture means of said bail portion of said bracket means and surrounding said lamp |`base and a second portion confined and guided between said bracket leg portions for relative movement thereto, said push button means second portion being configured to engage each of said arms of said yoke member Without contact with -said lamp holder means and being actuatable solely against the bias of said biasing means within said switch casings through said spring means on said tab means on said yoke member, said spring means providing overtravel protection to prevent damage to said switch means upon alternate actuation of the assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,014,112 12/61 Milierwise 200-156 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. 

8. A LIGHTED ALTERNATE ACTION PUSH BUTTON SNAP ACTING SWITCH COMPRISING MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS MOVABLE BETWEEN AN AT-REST AND A SECOND POSITION WITH A SNAP ACTION, MEANS BIASING SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS TO ITS AT-REST POSITION, HOUSING MEANS FOR SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS, A STATIONARY MEMBER FIXEDLY MOUNTED TO SAID HOUSING MEANS AND HAVING FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD SUBPORTIONS, ALTERNATE ACTION MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FIRST SUBPORTION AND COOPERABLE WITH SAID SECOND SUBPORTION AND OPERABLE TO MOVE AND RETAIN SAID MOVABLE CONTACT MEANS ALTERNATELY IN ITS AT-REST AND ITS SECOND POSITION, LAMP HOLDER MEANS MOUNTED BETWEEN SAID STATIONARY MEMBER AND SAID HOUSING MEANS AND UPON SAID THIRD SUBPORTION, AND LIGHTED PELLUCID PUSH BUTTON MEANS SURROUNDINGLY MOUNTED TO SAID LAMP HOLDER MEANS OPERABLE TO ACTUATE SAID ALTERNATE ACTION MEANS WITHOUT DISTURBING SAID LAMP HOLDER MEANS. 